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opencc-by-4.0Nov 2021View details →

Code for "The significant role of post-pairing male behaviour on the evolution of male preferences and female traits"

This project page archives Mathematica code to replicate the analyses and figures of "The significant role of post-pairing male behaviour on the evolution of male preferences and female traits" by Nan Lyu, D. Justin Yeh, Huw Lloyd, and Yue-Hua Sun appearing in Communications Biology. All figures from the manuscript (and its supplement) can be obtained by running the code.

opencc-zeroJan 2022View details →

Data from: Juvenile experience with male cues triggers cryptic choice mechanisms in adult female redback spiders

Female choice may be linked to population density if expected encounter rates with potential mates affects choosiness (energy and risk engaged to express mate preferences). Choosiness should covary with male availability, which could be assessed using social cues available during development. We tested whether exposure of juvenile females to cues of male density affected mechanisms of choosiness of adult Latrodectus hasselti spiders in two experiments simulating natural contexts. Juvenile females were exposed to (1) volatile chemicals from two densities of adult males (airborne cues), and (2) tactile, vibrational, and chemical cues from adult males or other females (cohabitation cues). As adults, females mated readily, regardless of treatment, but there was strong evidence for post-copulatory mechanisms of choosiness in females exposed to cues of high male availability. These included abbreviated matings (both experiments), cannibalism of males before mating was complete (cohabitation), and, remarkably, a reduction in the successful placement of internal sperm plugs (cohabitation). These shifts decrease the likelihood that the first mate would monopolize paternity if the female chose to mate again. We conclude that female choosiness may impose strong selection on males despite high mating rates, and these effects can hinge on cues of male availability detected by juveniles.

opencc-by-nd-4.0Jul 2021View details →

Figure 1. Adult female Maevia inclemens. 1-2, 6 in Stabilizing selection to maintain the two male forms of the jumping spider Maevia inclemens (Araneae: Salticidae: Marpissina)

Figure 1. Adult female Maevia inclemens. 1-2, 6, Feeding on a small fly (Diptera: Brachycera). 3-4, Feeding on a small robber fly (Diptera: Ascilidae). With the exception of Figure 5:8, only three M. inclemens individuals, two males and one female, all photographed on plants in the laboratory, are shown in this paper. All were collected in Massachusetts, June 2020.

opencc-zeroMar 2022View details →

Varied female and male courtship behavior facilitated the evolution of a novel sexual signal

Sexual selection can contribute to speciation when signals and preferences expressed during mate choice are coupled within groups, but come to differ across groups (generating assortative mating). When new sexual signals evolve, it is important to investigate their roles in both mate location and courtship contexts, as both signaling functions are critical in mate choice. In previous work, researchers identified two new male morphs (silent and purring) in Hawaiian populations of the Pacific field cricket, Teleogryllus oceanicus. These morphs likely evolved because they protect males from an acoustically orienting parasitoid, yet still obtain some reproductive success. But, it remains unknown how purring morphs function in close courtship encounters. We compared the relative success of the very recently evolved purring morph to that of the ancestral and silent morphs during courtship encounters. Purring males produce a novel courtship song and were not as successful in courtship as the ancestral type, but were mounted by females as often and as quickly as the obligately silent morph that arose and spread ~20 years ago. Purring males initiate courtship more quickly than other morphs, and females from populations where purring is common exhibit higher overall mounting rates. Thus, differences in the behavior of purring males and of females from populations where purring is common may have facilitated the origin of this novel sexual signal. We found no assortative mating between males of a given morph and females from their own population, and so we hypothesize that multiple male types will be maintained within the species because each achieves fitness in different ways.

opencc-zeroMay 2022View details →

Raw data for: Plastic responses of males and females interact to determine mating behaviour

Individuals can respond plastically to variation in their social environment. However, each sex may respond to different cues and contrasting aspects of competition. Theory suggests that the plastic phenotype expressed by one sex can influence evolutionary dynamics in the other, and that plasticity simultaneously expressed by both sexes can exert sex-specific effects on fitness. However, data are needed to test this theory base. Here, we examined whether the simultaneous expression of adaptive plasticity by both sexes of Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies in response to their respective social environments interacts to determine the value of key reproductive traits (mating latency, duration and fecundity). To vary social environments, males were kept alone, or with same sex rivals, and females were kept alone, in same-sex, or mixed-sex groups. Matings were then conducted between individuals from all of these 5 social treatments in all combinations, and the resulting reproductive traits measured in both 'choice' and 'no choice' assays. Mating latency was determined by an interaction between the plastic responses of both sexes to their social environments. Interestingly, the mating latency response occurred in opposing directions in the different assays. In females exposed to same-sex social treatments, mating latency was more rapid with rival treatment males in the choice assays, but slower with those same males in no choice assays. In contrast, mating duration was determined purely by responses of males to their social environments, and fecundity purely by responses of females. Collectively, the results show that plastic responses represent an important and novel facet of sexual interactions.

opencc-zeroMay 2022View details →

Data from: female preference for super-sized male ornaments and its implications for the evolution of ornament allometry

It has been argued that disproportionately larger ornaments in bigger males—positive allometry—is the outcome of sexual selection operating on the size of condition dependent traits. We reviewed the literature and found a general lack of empirical testing of the assumed link between female preferences for large ornaments and a pattern of positive allometry in male ornamentation. We subsequently conducted a manipulative experiment by leveraging the unusual terrestrial fish, Alticus sp. cf. simplicirrus, on the island of Rarotonga. Males in this species present a prominent head crest to females during courtship, and the size of this head crest in the genus more broadly exhibits the classic pattern of positive allometry. We created realistic male models standardized in body size but differing in head crest size based on the most extreme allometric scaling recorded for the genus. This included a crest size well outside the observed range for the study population (super-sized). The stimuli were presented to free-living females in a manner that mimicked the spatial distribution of courting males. Females directed greater attention to the male stimulus that exhibited the super-sized crest, with little difference in attention direct to other size treatments. These data appear to be the only experimental evidence from the wild of a female preference function that has been implicitly assumed to drive selection that results in the evolution of positive allometry in male ornamentation.

opencc-zeroMay 2022View details →

Measurement of male and female morphologies in Mercurialis annua

We provide a dataset documenting the changes in male and female morphological traits after evolution at low- and high-density during three generations in the dioecious plant species Mercurialis annua. Our dataset corresponds to results from an experimental evolution protocol in which we have measured male and female traits after the evolution of ten experimental independent populations at the two contrasting densities. Seeds were initially collected in various populations of the species range and grown for three generations in a common garden, which aim was to build a seed bank with large genetic variance for experimental evolution. The seeds resulting from this initial generation (G0) have than been grown to build ten experimental populations (POP in the dataset) that were affected either to low or high density (TREAT in the dataset). Each population was grown separately from the other populations and its assigned density was applied during the last four weeks of growth. After three generations of evolution at their assigned density, seeds resulting from the third generation of evolution were grown in a common garden with two spatial blocks (BLOCK in the dataset) in which we recorded the spatial position of each plants (x and y in the dataset) measured vegetative and reproductive traits in male and female plants.

opencc-zeroJun 2022View details →

Arrival dates of male and female willow warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus) to their breeding site in Sweden 1979-2016

Protandry is a widespread life-history phenomenon describing how males precede females at the site or state of reproduction. In migratory birds, protandry has important influence on individual fitness, the migratory syndrome and phenological response to climate change. Despite its significance, accurate analyses on the dynamics of protandry using data sets collected at the breeding site, are lacking. Basing our study on records collected daily, spanning a period of 38 years, we aim to investigate protandry dynamics over time in a breeding population of willow warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus). Temporal change in the timing of arrival was analysed in males and females, and protandry (number of days between male and female arrival) was investigate both at population level and within breeding pairs. Our results show advancement in the arrival time to the breeding site in both sexes, but male arrival has advanced to a greater extent, leading to an increase in protandry both at the population level and within breeding pairs. We do not observe any change in sex ratio that could explain the protandry increase, but pronounced temperature change has occurred at the breeding area and along the migratory route. Typically, natural selection opposes earlier arrival in males, but given warmer springs, this counteracting force may be relaxing, enabling an increase in protandry. We discuss whether our results suggests that climate change has caused sex-specific effects, if these could be evolutionary and whether the timing of important life-history stages such as arrival at the breeding site may change at different rates in males and females following environmental shifts.

opencc-zeroAug 2022View details →

Data to: Carotenoids-based reddish pelvic spines in non-reproducing female and male sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) – signalling social dominance?

Conspicuous ornaments are often considered a result of evolution by sexual selection. According to the social selection hypothesis, such conspicuous traits may also evolve as badges of status associated with increased boldness or aggression towards conspecifics in conflicts about ecological resources. This study tested predictions from the social selection hypothesis to explain evolution of conspicuous red colour of the pelvic spines of the three-spine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Wild non-reproducing sticklebacks were presented to pairs of dummies which differed at their pelvic spines, having either (i) normal sized grey or red pelvic spines, or (ii) normal sized grey or large red pelvic spines. The experimental tank was illuminated by white or green light, since green light impedes the sticklebacks' ability to detect red colour. The dummies moved slowly around in circles at each end of the experimental tank. We quantified the parameters (i) which of the two dummies was visited first, (ii) time taken before the first visit to a dummy, (iii) distribution of the focal sticklebacks in the two zones close to each of the two dummies and in the neutral zone of the tank, (iv) close to which of the two dummies did the focal fish eat its first food-piece, and (v) time spent until the first piece of food was eaten. This was carried out for 22 females and 29 males sticklebacks. The results suggested no effect of the colour or size of the dummies' pelvic spines, on none of the five behavioural parameters. Moreover, neither the colour of the pelvic spines of the focal sticklebacks themselves (as opposed to redness of the dummies' spines) or their body length was associated with behaviour towards the dummies. Thus, this study did not support predictions from the social selection hypothesis to explain evolution of red pelvic spines in sticklebacks.

opencc-zeroAug 2022View details →

Data for: Sensory biases in response to novel complex acoustic signals in male and female gray treefrogs, Hyla chrysoscelis

The sensory bias hypothesis proposes that female preferences for male sexual signaling traits evolved in contexts other than mating. Individuals of both sexes may experience similar selection pressures in these contexts, thus males may have similar biases to females for variation in signal traits. We tested this prediction in the gray treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis, in which males produce simple advertisement calls, but females are more attracted to certain novel complex stimuli. We recorded males' responses to playbacks of both simple advertisement calls and complex calls consisting of the advertisement call with an acoustic appendage (filtered noise, or heterospecific call pulses) either leading or following the call. We tested females' preferences for the same stimuli in phonotaxis tests. We found evidence for a sensory bias in both sexes: males gave more aggressive calls in response to complex stimuli and females sometimes preferred complex over simple calls. These biases were not universal and depended on both temporal order and appendage characteristics, but how these effects manifested differed between the sexes. Ultimately, our approach of studying biases of both sexes in response to novel mating signals will shed light on the origin of mating preferences, and the mechanisms by which sensory biases operate.

opencc-zeroAug 2022View details →

Does perception of female cues modulate male short-term fitness components in Drosophila melanogaster?

Phenotypic plasticity in reproductive behaviour can be a strong driver of individual fitness. In species with high intra-sexual competition, changes in socio-sexual context can trigger quick adaptive plastic responses in males. In particular, a recent study in the vinegar fly (Drosophila melanogaster) shows that males derive net fitness benefits from being shortly exposed to female cues ahead of access to mating (termed sexual perception), but the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon remain unknown. Here, we investigated the short-term effects of female perception on male pre- and post-copulatory components of reproductive performance: a) mating success, b) mating latency and duration, c) sperm competitiveness, and d) ejaculate effects on female receptivity and oviposition rate. We found that brief sexual perception increased mating duration, but had no effect on the main pre- or post-copulatory fitness proxies recorded. This may suggest that male fitness benefits from responses to sexual perception do not play out in the short-term, but we discuss alternative explanations and future avenues of research.

Figure 46 in Males of a new species of Jotus from Australia wave a paddle-shaped lure to solicit nearby females (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini)

Figure 46. Field records of predation on ants by a male Jotus remus at Barrington Tops (1), a female Anasaitis canosa from Greenville County, South Carolina (2), and a male Naphrys pulex, also from Greenville County (3). Although found on a different continent, Naphrys is thought to be more closely related to the Australian Jotus than to the Anasaitis that shares its leaf-litter habitat (Zhang & Maddison 2013). 2-3, Scale = 1 mm.

Figure 45 in Males of a new species of Jotus from Australia wave a paddle-shaped lure to solicit nearby females (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini)

Figure 45. Take-off sequence by an adult male Jotus remus based on analysis of high-speed (sequential frames at 1000 FPS), low resolution video frames. Note the paddles on legs III. In this sequence, the spider crouched (1-4), then sprung off of the surface in a near-vertical trajectory, extending all four hind legs in about 3 msec.

Figure 43 in Males of a new species of Jotus from Australia wave a paddle-shaped lure to solicit nearby females (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini)

Figure 43. Take-off sequence by an adult male Jotus auripes based on analysis of high-speed (1000 FPS) video frames. In this example, legs IV accelerated the spider to ~50 cm/s, then to ~55 cm/s, and extension of legs III brought this up to ~90 cm/s.

Figure 42 in Males of a new species of Jotus from Australia wave a paddle-shaped lure to solicit nearby females (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini)

Figure 42. Take-off sequence by an adult male Jotus auripes based on analysis of high-speed (1000 FPS) video frames. In this example, legs IV accelerated the spider to ~40 cm/s, then to ~60 cm/s, and extension of legs III brought this up to ~90 cm/s.

Figure 41 in Males of a new species of Jotus from Australia wave a paddle-shaped lure to solicit nearby females (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini)

Figure 41. Take-off sequence by an adult male Jotus auripes based on analysis of high-speed (1000 FPS) video frames. In this example, legs IV accelerated the spider to ~55 cm/s, then to ~70 cm/s, and extension of legs III brought this up to ~80 cm/s. Since vertical deceleration due to gravity takes place as the spider is accelerating, the actual acceleration due to vertical extension of the legs is somewhat greater than this.

Figure 39 in Males of a new species of Jotus from Australia wave a paddle-shaped lure to solicit nearby females (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini)

Figure 39. Take-off sequence by an adult male Jotus auripes based on analysis of high-speed (1000 FPS) video frames. In this example, legs IV accelerated the spider to ~50 cm/s, then to ~60 cm/s, and extension of legs III brought this up to ~80 cm/s.

Figure 37 in Males of a new species of Jotus from Australia wave a paddle-shaped lure to solicit nearby females (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini)

Figure 37. Selected composite images showing successive positions of a jumping male Jotus remus (1000 FPS video). The position of the pedicel was plotted with small circles a 1 msec intervals, superimposed on a grid of 1 mm squares (1 mm/msec corresponds to 100 cm/s). The take-off velocity (at position 7 at right side of grid) shown here was ~79 cm/s in a direction of 18.4° above horizontal (horizontal velocity ~75 cm/s, vertical velocity ~25 cm/s). The red line represents a ballistic flight trajectory from the take-off position, and the actual flight path (small circles) approximates this. Like other jumping spiders, Jotus use their dragline during these targeted jumps. Note the reversal of pitch (backward to forward) at the end of this jump.

Figure 38 in Males of a new species of Jotus from Australia wave a paddle-shaped lure to solicit nearby females (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini)

Figure 38. Take-off sequence by an adult male Jotus auripes based on analysis of high-speed (1000 FPS) video frames. In this and in subsequent figures (Figures 31-36), four frames are shown to represent [1] the start position when extension of legs IV begins, [2] the start of extension of legs III, as legs IV continue to extend, [3] the end of extension of legs IV, when only legs III are still extending, and [4] the take-off position at which legs III are completely extended. Small circles show the position of a reference position on the spider (identifed by the presence of the lateral band of white scales on the carapace) for each frame, separated by 1 msec. In the background is a 1 mm grid. In this example, the spider accelerated to ~60 cm/s with legs IV, then to ~70 cm/s with legs III and IV, and finally to ~80 cm/s with only legs IV. In this and in subsequent examples the spider crouched down against the surface before extending its legs.

Figure 44 in Males of a new species of Jotus from Australia wave a paddle-shaped lure to solicit nearby females (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini)

Figure 44. Take-off sequence by an adult male Jotus remus based on analysis of high-speed (sequential frames at 1000 FPS), low resolution video frames. In this species legs III and IV are also close in length and both contribute to acceleration.